The Bridal Suite

Innkeepers #4

by Rochelle Alers

Bestselling author Rochelle Alers’ returns to romantic New Orleans in this uplifting series featuring four very different friends embarking on the dream of a lifetime . . .
 
With her besties in the Big Easy, Nydia Santiago is second-guessing staying behind in New York City. So when Jasmine Washington calls with the exciting news that she’s getting married, Nydia happily rushes to New Orleans to be her maid of honor. Once she visits the lovely Garden District estate her friends are transforming into a luxury inn, she’s wistful to join them in their venture. Then she meets the sexy engineer in charge of the renovation. With his seductive Southern drawl, Lamar Pierce could make her believe in love again . . .
 
Lamar is confident, responsible, and settled—everything her ex, an aspiring Latin music singer, wasn’t. But Lamar is also a widowed father to a pre-teen girl in need of a mother, something Nydia’s not ready to be. When her ex makes a very public proposal, suddenly Nydia is running from the paparazzi—straight into Lamar’s arms. But is she ready to take the leap from singlehood to wife and mother?. . .

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, African American Romance, Friends To Lovers, Fiction, Family Drama

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2019

About the author

Rochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.

Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.

Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.

Reviews

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars / 1 Steam Fans

In this case this rating is very much an 'it's not you, it's me' type of rating. Not often do I need to read standalone books in a series in order; however, in this case, I think my enjoyment for the story would have been more had I known the history between the friends. Nydia is being convinced by her girlfriends to move from New York to New Orleans to join them in their innkeeping business. Nydia breaks up with her long-time boyfriend before she visits New Orleans and meets Lamar during one of the friend's wedding. Nydia and Lamar have an instant connection but they both have relationship issues that they are working through. Lamar is a widower with a daughter and starts to question if he is ready to get back in the "game" specifically for Nydia. A lot of the storyline became repetitive and didn't seem to move anywhere. I felt like both characters harped on their issues without really trying to find resolutions or just letting the issue go which got very annoying. I may try to read the other books in the series in order to gain a bigger picture of this community of women.

Video review available in Week 48 Nov 24 – 30 weekly book reviews.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bridal Suite is the fourth and final book in Rochelle Alers’ Innkeepers series. Though part of a series, this novel reads well as a standalone.

Hannah DuPont-Lowell, Jasmine Washington, Tonya Martin and Nydia Santiago are a quartet of friends who, oddly enough, met and became friends on the day they were downsized from their jobs at an international Wall Street private investment firm. Hannah is a native Orleanian and has decided to turn her ancestral home into an inn, Hannah’s DuPont Inn. Jasmine and Tonya have agreed to be partners in the undertaking. Hannah wants Nydia, the lone holdout, to invest and serve as CFO.

Nydia Santiago is the final unwed and unengaged member of her quartet of friends. She’s in New Orleans to stand as maid of honor for Jasmine. Nydia is spending a month in the bridal suite of the Louis LaSalle hotel, as a special treat from Jasmine as a “thank you” for encouraging her to date her husband-to-be. Jasmine invites Nydia along on an outing to meet with the project engineer overseeing the renovations of her warehouse turned home. Nydia is introduced to widower and single-father, Lamar Pierce, and the immediate attraction is mutual. Now Nydia has to decide if she wants to leave New York, move to the Big Easy open her heart and make memories and babies with a man who is her equal in every way, unlike her past relationships. Lamar has to decide if he’s ready to let go of his deceased wife and allow another woman to parent his ten-year-old daughter and own a piece of his heart.

Rochelle Alers is always on my must-read list, and I enjoyed this book as well as the ones I’ve read in the past. The characters are vibrant and relatable. The story is inspirational. Alers tackles interracial relationships in many configurations and shows that love comes in all colors, shapes and sizes. I can only imagine that the previous books in this series were just as wonderful as this one. Ms. Alers has set these female leads on the path to finding their knight in shining armor or their romance novel hero. I give The Bridal Suite 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all readers who enjoy romance novels and to those with an interest in multicultural novels.

My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

[Jite · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good conclusion to The Inkeepers series overall. The premise is that Nydia, fabulous Nuyorican accountant and the youngest member of the Inkeepers crew, meets construction engineer and single dad, Lamar, when she travels to New Orleans for her friend (and star of Book 3)’s wedding and for Lamar, it’s connection are first sight, but with both being volatile, incredibly direct and filterless people and with Nydia unsure if she wants to take up a relationship where she might need to be stepmother to a tween, they really might not have anything to build on.

I did enjoy this for the most part, but I think that’s mostly because I’m already a fan of this author’s work. This is probably not the book, I’d recommend a reader start with. Indeed I wouldn’t recommend starting with this series at all. But if you were going to read this series, definitely read it in order. The author does recap the events of previous books which can be a little tedious and boring as it slows the novel down, but it is there. Nonetheless, to really have context, I recommend definitely reading in order. Now for this book, did it have some inconsistencies? To me, yes- there were a few inconsistencies with characters vowing they didn’t feel certain things only to jump on those feelings as though they were established facts a few pages later. I also wasn’t altogether sold on the compatibility of the main couple. That said, I did enjoy this book and this series and definitely plan to read more from this author.

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading this it was so familiar that I read the previous three novels. I loved this series but then I love a great romance novel. Fast pace, exciting and fun...

[Alicia (PrettyBrownEyeReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Innkeepers series. The story is set in two cities, New York and New Orleans and follows the main character Nydia Santiago as she decides to relocate after experiencing corporate downsizing. She is offered the opportunity to move to New Orleans and operate an inn with her former coworkers.

I did not read the other three books in the series. The author does an excellent job with the backstory that it isn’t necessary to read the other three. One caution about the book is that Spanish and French words are used throughout since the main character is Puerto Rican and part of the book takes place in New Orleans.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable romantic tale that will have you cheering for a happy ever after ending.

I was given the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.

[Elma Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been so long since I read this I don’t remember the 📖 but I’m sure it was great.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bridal Suite by Rochelle Alers is the fourth book in the Innkeeper’s Series. The series is about four women who were summarily let go of their job and how they each rebuilt their life. I did read the prior novel (#3), but not the two before that. I think each book can be read as a stand alone.

The fourth book focuses on Nydia Santiago and her eventual move to the Big Easy. She too is rebuilding her life after being let go. She is petite and sassy. She is comfortable in her own skin and is not ready for any type of relationship. She is proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and loves to cook ethnic food. She is finally ready to start her new life. Lamar Pierce is a family man with his focus on his business and his preteen daughter. She is not interested in any relationship with this man and certainly not with him still wearing his wedding ring. Their friends are finding ways to put them together and Lamar is not willing to say no.

This book is a great read for anyone who loves reading about fancy clothes, fancy eats and the almost rich. The life Nydia and her friends lead is busy with focus on their businesses, good eats and their new lives in the Big Easy. Nydia was not my favorite main character, but she seemed to fit well with the story and the main male character.

The Bridal Suite by Rochelle Alers is a nice wrap up to the Innkeeper’s Series. The storyline is interesting and the food described might make the reader salivate. The romance novel was an interesting read.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final book in the innkeeper series.
An enjoyable, easy read, but as I have mentioned in the previous reviews, it’s gets repetitive, and I’m a bit turned off by the excess description of clothes and interior decorations. I get past all that because I like the easy story. Perfect audiobook for woke-up-too-early or workout listening.
There was one snag that really bugged me in this book: the two romantic leads kept calling each other mijo and mija. In my limited experience with Spanish-speaking people, those endearments are reserved for an elder to say to someone younger, not as pet names used by lovers. But who am I? I could be wrong.
The last of the four divas from New York, Nydia, decides to join the rest of the ladies in moving to New Orleans, and becoming an active business partner and investor in the Dupont Inn. While trying to build this new life, her ex pops back into the picture to wreak a little havoc and she meets a man and his daughter who she falls in love with. You know what happens!

[Helen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable series about four very different friends embarking on the dream of a lifetime .

When her three besties moved to the Big Easy, Nydia Santiago is second-guessing staying behind in New York City. So when Jasmine Washington calls with the exciting news that she’s getting married, Nydia happily rushes to New Orleans to be her maid of honor. Once she visits the lovely Garden District estate her friends are transforming into a luxury inn, she’s wistful to join them in their venture. When she meets the sexy engineer Lamar Pierce who is in charge of the renovation with his seductive Southern drawl, Nydia finds herself thinking about love again after her past disastrous relationships.

Lamar is confident, responsible, and settled—everything her ex wasn’t. But he is also a widowed father to a pre-teen girl in need of a mother, something Nydia’s not ready to be. But Lamar's pursuit is irresistible. Nydia has to decide if she wants to give love another chance.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Third and final book in the series. Nydia Santiago is the youngest and one of the four women that were Co Workers, let go from a Manhattan company, became friends and the only one who still lives in New York instead of with the rest of them in New Orleans. While visiting her friends, she not only helps her closest friend Jasmine with her wedding, While there she meets single father Lamar Pierce, and has to decide if dealing with the ghost of his wife and a pre teen daughter is worth following her heart.

This book shows why Ms. Alers is one of the greats when it comes to romance. There were several swoon worthy moments that had me almost re evaluate my personal life, lol. The characters were so realistic and life like, especially Nydia's ex and Lamar's daughter. A great finale to such a wonderful and well written series. Job well done.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nydia has had some rotten luck in love- her most recent ex is a real heel. SO, the chance to start over again in New Orleans means more than just a new job, it means a reset of her heart. Her friend (who will be familiar to those who have read the earlier books in the series - but don't worry if you haven't) are renovating a home in the Garden District. Lamar is the man in charge and oh, my, he's wonderful. He's also a widowed dad who takes that seriously. It takes a lot for both Nydia and Lamar to overcome their concerns and inch toward each other and then- oh n0- her ex shows up again! Don't worry, this has the right ending. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A fun, good read for a lazy afternoon.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful conclusion to The Innkeepers series. This book is Nydia’s story. This is the story of Nydia and Lamar, an unexpected chance of love. After two failed relationships, both with men who had used Nydia for their own desires but hadn’t offered much in return, Nydia was twice shy and not interested in getting into a new relationship. Lamar, widowed and the father of a 10 year old, had thought he wouldn’t even think about a relationship until Kendra was 18. Neither expected the sparks and attraction they felt with each other. I enjoyed this heartwarming story and will miss reading about this wonderful group of women and the men they love.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bridal Suite by Rochelle Alers is Nydia’s story in the fourth and final Innkeepers stories. But it is a good stand alone and worth reading the other three books in the series.
Nydia has been burned in her love life and by her most recent employer. Deciding to move to New Orleans to join her other three friends in their venture to open an inn, Nydia never expects to fall in love, especially with someone as Lamar. Nadia is a woman with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a wish to be loved by a man that can recognize her worth and love her forever. I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Kensington Books. The comments and review are my honest opinion

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to four. This is the fourth and final book of The Inkeepers series, and while I did enjoy it, it was the most difficult for me to get through because I found it very difficult to relate to the heroine. We’re similar in age but that’s about all, so I had a hard time understanding the choices she made or the way she reacted to situations. But this story really is like a fairy tale, as even the characters acknowledge, and it was nice to have all four friends finding their happily ever after.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Bigedsgirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book of The Innkeepers series left me sighing and grinning from ear to ear! A widowed father and his lovable, sometimes audacious daughter, natives of New Orleans are both, in turn, enchanted, amazed, and irresistibly drawn to an outspoken, gorgeous, super smart, petite, Puerto Rican dynamo from New York city. I totally experienced every snowflake, the warmth of the fireplaces, the drool worthy dinner buffet, and the loving, large family gathering on Christmas eve in New York when Lamar and his daughter Kendra joined Nydia's family for the holiday. So many unforgettable moments make The Bridal Suite a perfect ending to a heartwarming series.

[Linda Epps - Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful conclusion to the series and the bond of sisterhood that developed with these amazing four women. It was wonderful that they all got their second chance at love and career. I enjoyed Lamar and Nydia's love story, although Nydia was a little too prickly at times. I enjoyed her family and how accepting they were of Lamar and Kendra. A great adult, no games, especially mind games story. The only thing I did not care for was the parallel story for Cameron and Jasmine that already happened in Book #3.

I'm very glad I started reading Ms. Alers again after so many years. I will definitely continue reading her collection of work.

[Merle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters here were not conducive to the enjoyment of the story, so this does not get a very high rating from this reader. Nydia is too prickly and Lamar too willing to lay down and apologize whenever she pops off at him. Not sure that makes for a great relationship, even a fictional one. On the other hand, the arc finally completes itself, with the Inn finally open, and a new baby in the extended family. I am also not a fan of the dialogue, because real people, no matter how educated, do not speak in phrases and clauses the way they are portrayed in Alers' books.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the first three books of this series a while ago, so it took me a bit to get up to speed. Though Ms. Alers does a good job including enough details to make this book readable as a standalone. I like her writing style: I felt like I was watching the cogs turn in her characters’ minds. It made for a slightly slower pace than I am used to, but it felt justified and made the story very believable.

And in case it’s your thing, there are lots of foodie moments and some recipes at the end (Puerto Rican).

[Tia]

I received an advanced copy from Kensington/Dafina Books.

I absolutely loved the previous books. This book not so much. From early on I could not get past the language usage of characters. The constant details of the eye color, skin color and shoulder length hair with curls. It was all overdone. I wanted more about the community relationships, descriptions of the town and not so much about the physical appearance. I felt as if I was reading a different genre. I was very disappointed with The Bridal Suite. However, one book won't stop me from reading everything by Rochelle Alers!

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the series yesterday. The fourth book was my favourite...and I loved the characters and how the story developed. I was a little disappointed for it to end the way it did...especially with never really seeing how things ended up going with the Dupont Inn...although now I realize the series was never about the inn so much as the Innkeepers themselves.

This was the first time I read any of Rochelle Alers' work and I will definitely look at her other series and try something else. This was an enjoyable series and I am glad I read it....

[Amanda Bihun · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first 3 books but this one had so many spelling errors. Not that words were misspelled but that a real word was used in place of a different intended word. They must have used AI to spell check instead of a human. The story itself was fine but dumbed down and either overly repetitive or inconsistent: does Jasmine drive a minivan or an SUV?
The motifs in the story reached to be modern and female empowering but were very traditional values influenced. It was basic and fine but definitely not great

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I read in this series and will surely read the others as I liked this one.
It's an entertaining and engrossing story, that made me smile and root for the characters.
I liked the fleshed out cast of characters, the well crafted plot and the setting.
Even if it's the third in a series I had no issues with the plot or the characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Marlene Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bridal Suite (The Innkeepers Book 4)

This book was just as interesting as the 3 other books in the series. Very inlightening, I enjoyed this one the most, wasn't able to put it down. So happy Nydia and Lance got married. So uneake how four ladies was able to turn their lives around after loosing their jobs.Can't wait for the next series Rochelle may write. God bless you Rochelle,and continue with your writing.

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love in the Big Easy

I have really enjoyed this series, four women get laid off from their jobs in New York. They all end up in New Orleans were they form a new business partnership, and find true love. Kudos to the author, if you have not read this series you have truly missed out. The sex scenes are few and far between that is something that's missing, and some parts of the book was repetitive.

[Marisa Gettas · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up
My Mom and I just had a discussion about how calming and easy to read this series is. It’s my first experience reading a full Rochelle Alers series and I loved following our characters throughout all 4 books. A caution against reading these on an empty stomach, as the food descriptions are scrumptious. I loved the setting of New Orleans too, as it isn’t a typical romance setting.
My Mom and I have put the next series by Ms. Alers on hold at our library.

[Renecia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really really wanted to DNF this book. I'd read the others so I had to finish it to see how the series ended. I didn't like Nydia, at all really. And this story didn't make sense. One minute they individually feel like they should marry and the next they don't. One minute Nydia is saying Kendra is acting funny, but she doesn't act funny til damn near the very end. There's so much more. I just wasn't able to appreciate the authors efforts. Overall, I'm glad the series is over.

[Michelle Lindo-Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

First what a beautiful cover. I have read the other books in the Innkeeper's series and for the most part enjoyed Nydia and Lamar's story. I felt the ending chapters were not as gripping or even needed, sort of dragged out. I didn't quite get the conflict. But, I am a huge Rochelle Alers fan and look forward to reading more of her work. Thank you Netgalley.

[Gail Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4..Last in the series.

Another great book that I enjoyed reading. Nydia and Lamar. She's feisty and has a mind of her own. Ended a relationship with a jerk of a boyfriend and met the man of her dreams. He's a widower, a man's man, father, protected, and a partner in a great company. Great romance story. Rochelle Alers never fails to please.

[Teresa Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bridal Suite

I have finished the Inkeepers sequel. I liked Nydia and Lamar’s story but Rochelle did a lot of repeating who everyone was and their situation. I just read the other stories so it was fresh in my mind. I love that Rochelle can give you a good story. This one was more serious than funny. Lots of good food. I give it a thumbs up.

[Lee Holden, E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Excellent read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Nydia and Lamar are a great match. Their love story was beautiful. They both had personal obstacles to overcome. Nydia and Lamar’s strong chemistry and love conquered all. Their friends and family was an added bonus to this story.